Page 18 - ATR 2 2015 web

News iN Brief, ing elsewhere. age overall U.S. wage, a gap that widened
Continued from page 17 That will from 1 percent in 2001 to nearly 12 per-
only serve to cent in 2013.
Continued economic growth will push driver pay
create more trucking jobs but those and trucking aRkansas TRuCking
jobs are likely to be even harder to fill. rates higher, assoCiaTion announCes
As the U.S. unemployment rate drops especially if U.S. $1 Million dividend fRoM
toward 5 percent in 2015, fewer hireable wages overall WoRkeRs’ CoMpensaTion fund
candidates — those who are drug-free begin to rise, as many economists antici- The Arkansas Trucking Association
and have good driving records — will pate. And that may finally narrow or Self-Insurers’ Fund has declared a $1
be available for trucking companies to even close the widening gap between the million dividend to 48 trucking com-
bring onboard. They’ll already be work- average truck driver wage and the aver- panies that are enrolled in its workers’
compensation insurance trust.
The Arkansas Trucking Association
created the insurance trust in 1993 to
pay the workers’ compensation claims
for employees injured on the job.
Employees of trucking companies that
enrolled in the insurance group are cov-
ered. Since 1993, the trucking insurance
fund has paid out almost $44 million to
injured workers.
“We are so excited to be able to
reward our member companies for
It’s Time excellent performance,” said Shannon

Newton, the association’s president.
for a Checkup. “Our fund is evidence that small busi-
nesses can work together for mutual
benefit. In this case, pooling with one
We have specific experience assisting trucking companies another to cover the medical costs of
with their unique employment issues. their injured workers and be self-sus-

From departmental organization to hiring to workplace investigations and taining and financially stable.”
employee discipline – and everything in between – you can’t afford Newton said that the fund has dis-
noncompliance. tributed more than $22 million in divi-
dends to enrolled trucking companies
CGWG’s HR Checkup provides a basic review of your company’s
health. For $500, set up a one-on-one meeting with CGWG since the Arkansas Trucking Association
attorneys who will help you identify employment law created the fund. Dividends can be
compliance issues and establish a path to best practices.
declared by the fund’s board of trustees
after injury claims and other expenses
*Participating in the HR Checkup establishes an attorney-client relationship only are paid, and distribution is subject
to the extent of the agreed-upon services.
to approval by the Arkansas Workers’
Contact us today to schedule your HR Checkup. Compensation Commission.
Little Rock | 501-371-9999 The association hopes to be able
Northwest Arkansas | 479-725-3825 to distribute dividend checks at their
annual meeting April 29 in Hot Springs.
“Our member companies are true
believers. Time and again, our fund
has proven to be a reliable and afford-
CGWG.COM able way to provide workers’ comp
insurance,” said Newton. According
to Newton, the Arkansas Workers’
Compensation Commission is expected
to approve the dividend distribution
within a few days. ATR

18 aRkansas TRuCking RepoRT | issue 2 2015